Patients at the greatest risk for secondary infections, particularly infections that are resistant to first-line antibiotics, include people who are already vulnerable due to other conditions and diseases—like COVID-19. Because of that, antimicrobial resistance poses a significant additional threat, especially as healthcare systems become overburdened.

Pneumonia is one of the most common complications that can occur as a result of the flu. The condition can become very serious and even life-threatening. Each year, pneumonia causes over a million hospitalizations and more 50,000 deaths in the United States.